CLLR PHIL BIALYK IS THE LEADER OF EXETER CITY COUNCIL
I want to start by wishing everybody a happy and peaceful New Year. I hope everyone was able to spend time with family, friends and loved ones over the festive period and enjoy a well-deserved break.
Exeter was very busy with people coming into the city for Christmas shopping and to enjoy the markets and attractions that proved so popular again this year. It proves once more that Exeter is a destination of choice for so many people from a wide area who come to enjoy everything the city has to offer.
Times remain tough for many people, particularly at this time of year, and we continue to provide help and support to people in need. We recently had an injection of cash into the Household Support Fund which has been used to support a lot of people in Exeter.
Pensioner households who were losing the Winter Fuel Payment despite being entitled to means tested benefits have been sent £200 to replace the lost payment. Officers are working hard to ensure anyone eligible for Pension Credit makes a claim, and 923 households have been granted a total of £184,600 through the fund.
You may have seen the important announcement we made just before Christmas, that Exeter intends to bid for unitary status under plans for devolution and local government reorganisation announced by the Government.
An extraordinary Council meeting will take place on 9 January when members will be asked to approve a recommendation to inform the Government of our desire for unitary status.
The full case for a unitary Exeter would then be submitted for ministers to consider later in the year. If the Government agrees, Exeter expects to take its place in a devolved Mayoral Strategic Authority for Cornwall and Devon, together with Plymouth, as a principal and constituent member.
I believe this is a huge opportunity for us. Exeter is rapidly growing and has one of the biggest travel-to-work areas in the whole country.
We are a place where people want to live and work, and we have big plans for future growth. Exeter is the economic powerhouse of the county and drives the economy of the rest Devon, and it is important that decisions for Exeter are made in Exeter.
Despite everything that is happening politically, I still have the day job to do.
In February we will set a balanced budget for Exeter, and we are currently consulting with residents on their priorities for the city. I hope as many people as possible take part in the consultation.
Council also recently approved final consultation for the Exeter Plan, the city’s new local plan for future growth and development.
Hopefully we will get the draft plan through examination by February 2026. The Exeter Plan changes a number of things and most importantly concentrates building on brownfield sites for much-needed new homes for residents in Exeter.
Next year we’ll welcome the Women’s Rugby World Cup to Exeter, and I know preparations are in full swing and ticket sales are going well. This will be a brilliant event for Exeter which will put the city on the world stage.
Exeter Chiefs Women and Exeter City Women are both enjoying a great season so far – let’s hope the men’s teams can take inspiration from this and replicate their success during the rest of the campaign.